Tutorial 4

Buoyancy and floatation

1. A rectangular pontoon has a width of 6m, length of 10m and a draught of 2m in fresh water. Calculate
(a) weight of pontoon, (b) its draught in seawater of density 1025 kg/m3 and (c) the load that can be
supported by the pontoon in fresh water if the maximum draught permissible is 2.3m.
Solution:
a) Weight of pontoon = Weight of water displaced
W=
= 9810x6x10x2 = 1177200 N = 1177.2 KN
b) Draught in sea water (D) = ?
Weight of pontoon = Weight of sea water displaced
1177200 =
1177200 =
D = 1.95m
c) Dmax = 2.3m
Load that can be supported in fresh water (P) = ?
Total upthrust (FB) = Weight of water displaced
=
= 9810x6x10x2.3 = 1353780N = 1353.78KN
P = FB W = 1353.78-1177.2= 176.58 KN
2. A steel pipeline carrying gas has an internal diameter of 120cm and an external diameter of 125cm. It
is laid across the bed of a river, completely immersed in water and is anchored at intervals of 3m along
its length. Calculate the buoyancy force per meter run and upward force on each anchorage. Take
density of steel = 7900 kg/m3.
Solution:
Buoyant force per m = Weight of water displaced per m
=

= 12039N/m

Buoyant force for 3m (FB3) = 12039x3 = 36117N

Weight for 3 m of pipe (W3) =
= 22369N
Upward force on each anchorage = FB3 W3 = 36117-22369 = 13748N
3. A wooden block of width 2m, depth 1.5m and length 4m floats horizontally in water. Find the volume
of water displaced and the position of center of buoyancy. The specific gravity of wooden block is 0.7.
Solution:

Weight of block = Weight of water displaced

0.7x9810x2x1.5x4 = 9810Vwater displaced
Vwater displaced = 8.4m3
Finding depth of immersion (h)
Weight of block = Weight of water displaced
0.7x9810x2x1.5x4 = 9810x2x4xh
h = 1.05m
Position of center of buoyancy = h/2 = 0.525m from bottom
4. A piece of wood of sp gr 0.65 is 80mm square and 1.5m long. How many Newtons of lead weighing
120KN/m3 must be fastened at one end of the stick so that it will float upright with 0.3m out of water?
Solution:
Length of wood = 1.5m
Length of wood in water = 1.5-0.3 = 1.2m
Total weight of wood and lead = Weight of water displaced
[
Vlead = 0.000128 m3
Weight of lead =

= 120000x0.000128 = 15.38N

5. A block of wood floats in water with 40mm projecting above the water surface. When placed in
glycerin of sp gr 1.35, the block projects 70mm above the surface of that liquid. Determine the sp gr of
wood.
Solution:
A = Area of block
h = Height of block
S = sp gr of block
Weight of wooden block (W) =
Weight of water displaced (WW)
Weight of glycerin displaced (WG)
Here, W = WW = WG
Equating a and b
Sx9810xAh= 9810xA(h-0.04)

(a)
= 9810xA(h-0.04) (b)
= 1.35x9810(h-0.07) (c)

Equating b and c
9810A(h-0.04) = 1.35x9810A (h-0.07)
h = 0.155m
=0.74
6. A rectangular open box, 7.6m by 3m in plan and 3.7m deep, weighs 350KN and is launched in fresh
water. (a) How deep will it sink? (b)If the water is 3.7m deep, what weight of stone placed in the box will
cause it to rest on the bottom?
Solution:
a) Depth of immersion (h) = ?
Weight of block = Weight of water displaced
350000 = 9810x7.6x3xh
h = 1.56m
b) Weight of block and stone = Weight of water displaced

Weightstone = 477572N = 477.57KN

7. A stone weighs 500 N in air and 200N in water. Determine the volume of stone and its specific gravity.
Solution:
Weight in air-Weight in water = Buoyant force
Buoyant force (FB) =500-200 = 300N
FB = Weight of water displaced

= 0.0306m3
Volume of stone (V) = 0.306m3
= 16340N/m3

Specific weight of stone

Specific gravity of stone

= 1.66

8. A metallic body floats at the interface of mercury of specific gravity 13.6 and water in such a way that
30% of its volume is submerged in mercury and 70% in water. Find the density of the metallic body.
Solution:
Volume of metallic body = V

Density of metallic body =

Weight of metallic body = Weight of fluid displaced = Buoyant force due to mercury + Buoyant force due
to water

= 4780 kg/m3
9. A wooden block 4mx1mx0.5m is floating in water. Its specific gravity is 0.76. Find the volume of the
concrete of specific gravity 2.5, that may be placed on the block which will immerse the (a) block
completely in water and (b) block and concrete completely in water.
Solution:
a) Immersion of the block completely in water
Total weight of block and concrete = Weight of water displaced

= 0.192m3
b) Immersion of the block and concrete completely in water
Total weight of block and concrete = Weight of water displaced
[

= 0.32m3
10. Determine the specific weight and volume of an object that weighs 10N in water and 12N in oil of
specific gravity 0.8.
Solution:
Weight of object = W
Volume of object = V
Weight of object Weight in water = Buoyant force due to water

(a)
Weight of object Weight in oil = Buoyant force due to oil

(b)
Solving a and b,
V = 0.001019 m3
W = 10 + 9810x0.001019 = 19.996N
= 19623 N/m3

Specific weight of body

11. To what depth will a 2.4m diameter log 5m long and sp gr 0.4 sink in fresh water?

O
A

D
C

Solution:
Radius (r) = 1.2m
Depth of floatation = DC = ?
DB = 1.2Cos, DO =1.2Sin
Weight of log = Weight of water displaced
[

Solving by trial and errors for

, Right side = 9.8
, Right side = 9.06
, Right side = 9.04
Take
Depth of floatation (DC) = OC OD = 1.2 1.2Sin74.9 = 0.041m
12. What fraction of the volume of solid piece of metal of sp gr 7.2 floats above the surface of a
container of mercury of sp. gr. 13.6?
Solution:
V = Volume of metal

V = Volume of mercury displaced

Weight of body = Weight of mercury displaced
7.2x9810xV = 13.6x9810xV
V/V = 0.53
Fraction of volume above mercury = 1-0.53 = 0.47
13. A uniform body of size 4mx2mx1m floats in water. What is the weight of the body if the depth of
immersion is 0.6m? Also determine the meta-centric height.
Solution:
Weight of body = Weight of water displaced
= 9810x4x2x0.6 = 47088 N

M
G
B

Position of center of buoyancy (OB) = 0.6/2 = 0.3m

Position of cg (OG) = 1/2 = 0.5m

= 0.556m
BG = 0.5-0.3 = 0.2m
GM = MB-BG = 0.556-0.2 = 0.356m
14. A solid cylinder of diameter 3m has a height of 2m. Find the meta-centric height of cylinder when it
is floating in water with its axis vertical. The specific gravity of cylinder is 0.7.
Solution:
h = depth of immersion
Weight of body = Weight of water displaced
M
G
B

h = 1.4m
Position of center of buoyancy (OB) = 1.4/2 = 0.7m
Position of cg (OG) = 2/2 = 1m
BG = 1-0.7 = 0.3m

= 0.4017m
GM = MB-BG = 0.4017-0.3 = 0.1017m

15. A solid wood cylinder has a diameter of 0.6m and a height of 1.2m. The sp.gr. of the wood is 0.6. If
the cylinder is placed vertically in oil of sp.gr. 0.85, would it be stable?

Solution:
h = depth of immersion
Weight of body = Weight of oil displaced
G
B

h = 0.847m
0

Position of center of buoyancy (OB) = 0.847/2 = 0.4235

Position of cg (OG) = 1.2/2 = 0.6m
BG = 0.6-0.4235 = 0.1765m

= 0.0265m
GM = MB-BG = 0.0265-0.1765 = -0.15m
As metacentric height GM is negative, the body is unstable.
16. A body of size 3mx2mx2m floats in water. Find the limit of weight of the body for stable equilibrium.
Solution:
S = Sp gr of plastic
h = depth of immersion
Weight of body = Weight of water displaced

h =2S
Position of center of buoyancy (OB) = 2S/2 = S
Position of cg (OG) = 2/2 = 1m
BG = OG-OB =1-S

M
G
B

GM = MB-BG =
For stable equilibrium, GM > 0

S2-S+0.166>0
Values of S are 0.21 and 0.79
Lower limit of Weight =
Upper limit of weight =

= 0.21x1000x9.81x3x2x2 = 24721N = 24.72KN

= 0.79x1000x9.81x3x2x2 = 92999N = 92.99KN

17. A wooden cylinder of specific gravity 0.6 and circular in cross-section is required to float in oil of
specific gravity 0.8. Calculate the ratio of length to diameter for the cylinder so that it will just float
upright in water.
Solution:
Length of cylinder = L
Diameter of cylinder = D
h = depth of immersion
Weight of body = Weight of oil displaced

h = 0.75L
Position of center of buoyancy (OB) = 0.75L/2 = 0.375L
Position of cg (OG) = L/2 = 0.5L
BG = OG-OB =0.5L-0.375L = 0.125L

GM = MB-BG =
For stable equilibrium, GM > 0

D2-1.5L2>0
L2/D2 <0.667
L/D<0.8167

M
G
B

18. A solid cone of specific gravity 0.7 floats in water with its apex downwards. Determine the least apex
angle of the cone for equilibrium.
Solution:
D = Dia. Of cone
d =Dia. Of cone at water surface
h = Depth of immersion
H = Height of cone
2 = Apex angle
R = Radius of cone
r = radius of cone at water surface

D
d

M
G
B

Finding depth of immersion (h)

Weight of cone = Weight of water displaced

h = 0.8879H
OG =

= 0.75H

OB =

= 0.75x0.8879H = 0.6659H

BG = OG-OB = 0.75H-0.6659H = 0.0841H

GM = MB-BG =
For stable equilibrium GM>0

Least apex angle = 2 = 2x19.56 = 39.120

H
h

19. A cylindrical buoy 1.8m in diameter, 1.2m high and weighing 10.5 KN floats in salt water of density
1025 kg/m3. Its CG is 0.45m from the bottom. If a load of 3KN is placed on the top, find the maximum
height of the CG of this load above the bottom if the buoy is to remain in stable equilibrium.
Solution:
G = CG of buoy
G1 = CG of load 3KN
G = Combined CG of load and buoy
h = depth of immersion
B = CB
OG =0.45m
OG1=?
Finding depth of immersion (h)
Weight of load and buoy = Weight of water displaced

G1

M
G
1.2m

G
B

h
O

h = 0.53m
OB = 0.53/2 = 0.265m

= 0.38m
BG = OG-OB = OG-0.265
GM = MB-BG = 0.38- OG+0.265 = 0.645-OG
For stable equilibrium, GM>0
0.645-OG>0
OG < 0.645m
Taking moments about O,
3x103xOG1 + 10.5x103x0.45 = (3x103+10.5x103)x0.645
OG1 = 1.3275m

20. A plate of metal 1.1mx1.1mx2mm is to be lifted up with a velocity of 0.1m/s through an infinitely
extending gap 20mm wide containing an oil of sp. gr. 0.9 and viscosity 2.1NS/m2. Find the force required
to lift the plate assuming the plate to remain midway in the gap. Assume the weight of the plate to be
30N.

9mm

9mm

Fv1

Fv3
W

2mm

Solution:
Velocity of plate (u) = 0.1m/s
Sp. gr. of oil = 0.9
Sp. wt. of oil ( ) = 0.9x9810 = 8829N/m3
Viscosity of oil ( ) = 2.1NS/m2
Clearance on both sides (dy1 = dy2 = dy) = 9mm = 0.009m
Weight of plate = 30N
Force required to lift the plat (F) = ?
Upthrust on the plate = xvol. of plate = 8829x1.1x1.1x2/1000 = 21.37N
Viscous force on the plate = Viscous force on left + Viscous force on right
= 1 A + 2 A = (1 + 2) A
(

= 56.47N

Total force required to lift the plate = Weight-Upthrust + Viscous force = 30-21.37+56.47 = 65.1N

21. A block of wood of rectangular cross-section of sides a and b, and of length L has relative density of
S. If the block is to float in water with its longest axis horizontal and the length a vertical, show that for

stable equilibrium

Solution:
b

M
G

G = CG, B = Center of buoyancy, M = Metacenter

y

For the block to float

Wt. of block = Wt. of water displaced

y = Sa
,

Metacentric height
For stable equilibrium, GM>0

22. Consider a homogeneous right circular cylinder of length L, radius R, and specific gravity S, floating in
water (S = 1) with its axis vertical. Show that the body is stable is
Solution:
Length of cylinder = L
Radius of cylinder = R
Specific gravity of cylinder = S
h = depth of immersion
Weight of cylinder = Weight of water displaced

h = SL

M
G
B

Position of center of buoyancy (OB) = SL/2

Position of CG (OG) = L/2
BG = OG-OB =

GM = MB-BG =
For stable equilibrium, GM

23. If a solid conical buoy of height H and relative density S floats in water with axis vertical and apex
upwards, show that the height above the water surface of the conical buoy is equal to
.
Solution:
R = Radius of cone
r =Radius of cone at water surface
y = Height above the water surface
H = Height of cone

R
r
y

Weight of cone = Weight of water displaced

(

(a)
From similar triangles,
(b)
From a and b

24. A cone of base radius R and height H floats in water with the vertex downwards. If is the semivertex angle of the cone and h is the depth of immersion, show that for stable equilibrium
.
Solution:
D = Dia. Of cone
d =Dia. Of cone at water surface
h = Depth of immersion
H = Height of cone
2 = Apex angle
R = Radius of cone
r = radius of cone at water surface

D
d

M
G
B

H
h

OG =
OB =
BG =

GM =
For stable equilibrium, GM>0

25. A cone of base diameter d and height H floats in water with the axis vertical and vertex downwards.
If the sp gr of the cone material is S, show that for stable equilibrium

If S = 0.7, what would be the minimum value of R/H for stable equilibrium?
Solution:
d = Dia. Of cone
d1 =Dia. Of cone at water surface
y = Depth of immersion
H = Height of cone
2 = Apex angle
R = Radius of cone
r = radius of cone at water surface

d
d1

M
G
B

Weight of cone = Weight of water displaced

(a)
From similar triangles,

H
y

(b)
From a and b
(c)
OG =
OB =
(

BG =
(

GM =
For stable equilibrium, GM>0

Numerical

+
+

Minimum value of

= 0.355

26. A cylindrical buoy 1.25m in diameter and 1.8m high has a mass of 770kg. Show that it will not float
with its axis vertical in sea water of density 1025 kg/m3. If one end of vertical chain is fastened to the
base, find the pull required just to keep the buoy vertical. The CG of the buoy is 0.9m from its base.

Solution:
a) h = depth of immersion
Weight of body (W) = mg = 770x9,81 = 7553.7N
Weight of body = Weight of water displaced

G
B

h = 0.612m
O

Position of center of buoyancy (OB) = 0.612/2 = 0.306m

Position of CG (OG) = 1.8/2 = 0.9m
BG = 0.9-0.306 = 0.594m

= 0.16m
GM = MB-BG = 0.16-0.594 = -0.434m
As metacentric height GM is negative, the body is unstable and it will not float with its axis vertical.
b) T =pull in chain
Net upthrust (R) = T+W =(T+7553.7)
Finding new depth of immersion (h)
Net upthrust = Weight of water displaced

h = 0.00008R
OB = 0.00008R/2 = 0.00004(T+7553.7)
OG = 0.9m
G = new CG due to T and W (lowered due to T)

Taking moment about O (W passing through G and R through G)

W OG = R OG
7553.7x0.9 = (T+7553.7)OG

G
G
B

BG = OG-OB =
GM = MB-BG =
=
For stable equilibrium, GM>0

T>4254.8N
27. A hollow cylinder of external radius R and internal radius r, height h and sp. gr. S floats in a liquid of
sp. gr. S0. Show that for its stable equilibrium

Solution:
Height of cylinder = h
Specific gravity of liquid = S0
Specific gravity of cylinder = S
h = depth of immersion
Weight of cylinder = Weight of liquid displaced

M
G
B

Position of center of buoyancy (OB) =

Position of CG (OG) = h/2
BG = OG-OB =
(

GM = MB-BG =

For stable equilibrium, GM

(

28, The wooden beam shown in the figure is 200mmx200mm and 4m long. It is hinged at A and remains
in equilibrium at with the horizontal. Find the inclination . Sp. gr. of wood = 0.6.
A
1m

4m

Water
FB

Solution:
Length of beam immersed under water = y
Weight of beam (W) =
= 0.6x9810x(0.2x0.2x4) = 941.76N
W acts at a distance of 2m from A.
Buoyant force on the beam (FB) = Weight of water displaced =
= 9810x(0.2x0.2xy) = 392.4y
FB acts at a C.

Taking moment about hinge A,

(
y = 6.5, 1.47
As y = 6.5 is not possible, y =1.47
= 23.30